Rated Flyer 4 Life

Thanks a ton for the advice. 90% sure that when I do transfer to a new unit I will need to TX to a new airframe as well. I know guys transition a decent amount so I don’t think it should be too big of a deal.

How is the transfer process from reserve to guard? Also is it wise to talk to my SQ/CC first before talking to other units or what advice do you have when it comes to making the actual switch?

No, currently don’t live in base for either. My airline base is MCO and then I can drive to my reserve unit from there. I commute down and then do both. I’m looking into switching my reserve unit to be back up north and be only a 1-2hr drive from my house. As for the airlines I could switch my airline base to ORD or somewhere a lot closer as well or continue the commute to MCO if it’s easy. I also am thinking about the reserve UPT IP gig if I could swing that since it sounds pretty flexible. Either way I would like to start spending more time at home with my family and flying for the airline more while still doing my Air Force duty.

Yeah I’ve realized after this injury, that I need to move my Air Force duty closer to home. Not looking for an active retirement at all.

I currently am a O-3 and DNIF from an injury I just encountered on a deployment 2 months ago. I had to get surgery last month and I am currently recovering. The doc says I should be able to come off DNIF status in the next 3 months. I am still on my deployment orders, but they expire in the next 3 weeks. I already submitted a LOD, but now I am debating whether to do MEDCON orders or use my airline pilot disability program instead. The airline pilot disability program pays me more than what I make in the Air Force when on AD orders. I normally am a TR and my family and I live 800 miles away from my reserve unit. My only issue with MEDCON is that if I come on those orders then I will need to move down to where my unit is and come in full time. Given that I’m still recovering and that my family has no plans of moving anytime soon, I am trying to weigh what makes the most sense here. Does MEDCON benefit my military career in any kind of way or would I be better to just go with my civilian disability plan and be with my family?

Starting this back up…What’s the latest greatest on UPT (3.0?) these days. Kinda considering doing the Reserve UPT gig thing but wondering what the future of the T-6 will be and then also what’s up with the T-7. Any news?

You would be better off focusing on rushing as many units as you can and getting FaceTime. Your resume is solid. Now it’s more about who you are as a person and are you gonna be a good fit?

I know I personally would be interested in it. I’m considering the airline/UPT IP gig as something down the road because it seems like it might be easier to keep up with all the beans than my current gig. Plus from what I’ve been told, it sounds like being a UPT IP has a lot of flexibility in terms of days you have to work and when you work…plus no deployments

Thanks for the explanation! Definitely interesting to see what happens with all this.

Are they really trying to have everyone go T-7s? So it’s back to how it used to be then. Are they going to take T-6/T-1 IPs and eventually train them on the T-7 as well?

How often are the units looking for Reserve IPs for T-6/T-38? Is it pretty competitive?

I am considering this because of the type of flying and possible schedule flexibility…besides the commuting to Enid/Del Rio/Columbus…is Randolph an option? Are there any other requirements that haven’t been discussed?

I’m not sure what is in your cover letter, but the only thing I can think of is maybe you’re coming across as too much of an airline guy on paper. You should definitely emphasize your military desires as much as possible in the cover letter, only mention you’re an airline pilot because you have to but otherwise everything else needs to be about how bad you want to be a military pilot. With the current fighter situation and the amount of slots…I would seriously expand your search to the unsponsored reserve board or look into AFSOC OA-1K or ACC heavies like the HC-130J and do Spec Ops/Rescue if not fighters. Consider bombers as well. B-1 is not a bad option if you still want to fly fast…it just breaks a lot lol.

So is this affecting all slots or just Guard? Any word from the reserves? Active Duty?

If they were to go single track, I wonder if there would be an opportunity for former T-1 IPs/heavy type pilots to be retrained / TX as IPs for the T-7?

I ended up making it work for now for my family situation. On military leave from the airlines so it’s all good.

OP, I would definitely look at your civilian opportunities to fly down the road. You will make more money at the airlines and have a better quality of life. Airlines are still hiring pretty well with all the retirements. Don’t beat yourself up too much over this. Other opportunities are out there.

Yeah that is solid advice. Thanks!

Yes. I was the one who made the decision at the time to change tracks. There’s a lot more to the decision. Lot of it was personal life/dealing with my wife/birth of our first child situations going on at the time. I'm sure the chances are pretty low, but I still want to do it, if it happens. If not then at least I gave it my all.

So they responded by just saying that they don’t have a specific rated board, and it’s case by case basis. They are most likely only hiring current and qualified fighter pilots.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I may reach out to them to see. I’m still friends with a lot of them on social media.

It’s a long story, but basically during UPT I decided to switch tracks from fighter to heavy. My original fighter unit is the one that gave me the slot. I went on to fly for a heavy unit. I’m starting to miss that fighter unit that I originally got hired by a few years ago. Would I be crazy to try and apply for a rated board with them?

It’s been about 2 yrs

Captain of the keyboard is at it again

My current unit is starting to be a tough situation for my family life and civilian job. My commander has given me the option to either stay or go. If I do leave, he said they will help me find a new flying unit. As a reservist, what happens in the meantime during the process of looking for a new unit? Does the old unit usually keep you on a TR status? Can I switch airframes or do most units prefer you stick with the same MDS?